Independent And Dependent Variables: Practice Worksheet - Free Printable

Problem: Identifying Independent and Dependent Variables

The task is to identify the independent variable and the dependent variable in each of the given experimental descriptions. Here's a breakdown of each scenario:

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#### 1) Students watched a cartoon either alone or with others and then rated how funny they found the cartoon to be.

- Independent Variable: The condition under which students watched the cartoon (alone vs. with others).
- This is the factor being manipulated by the experimenter.

- Dependent Variable: The ratings of how funny the students found the cartoon.
- This is the outcome being measured, which is expected to change based on the independent variable.

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#### 2) A comprehension test was given to students after they had studied textbook material either in silence or with the television turned on.

- Independent Variable: The environment in which students studied the textbook material (silence vs. television turned on).
- This is the factor being manipulated to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

- Dependent Variable: The scores on the comprehension test.
- This is the outcome being measured, which is expected to vary based on the independent variable.

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#### 3) Some elementary school teachers were told that a child’s parents were college graduates, and other teachers were told that the child’s parents had not finished high school; they then rated the child’s academic potential.

- Independent Variable: The information given to the teachers about the child’s parents’ education level (college graduates vs. not finished high school).
- This is the factor being manipulated to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

- Dependent Variable: The ratings of the child’s academic potential by the teachers.
- This is the outcome being measured, which is expected to change based on the independent variable.

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#### 4) Workers at a company were assigned to one of two conditions: One group completed a stress management training program; another group of workers did not participate in the training. The number of sick days taken by these workers was examined for the two subsequent months.

- Independent Variable: Participation in the stress management training program (completed training vs. no training).
- This is the factor being manipulated to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

- Dependent Variable: The number of sick days taken by the workers over the two subsequent months.
- This is the outcome being measured, which is expected to vary based on the independent variable.

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#### 5) Students at a University were split into two groups and each received a different text for a philosophy course. Once group received a traditional text book, while the other received an interactive textbook on a tablet computer. After the course, the final exam marks between the two groups of students was compared.

- Independent Variable: The type of textbook used (traditional textbook vs. interactive textbook on a tablet computer).
- This is the factor being manipulated to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

- Dependent Variable: The final exam marks of the students.
- This is the outcome being measured, which is expected to differ based on the independent variable.

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Final Answers:

1. Independent Variable: Condition under which students watched the cartoon (alone vs. with others).
Dependent Variable: Ratings of how funny the cartoon was.

2. Independent Variable: Environment in which students studied (silence vs. television turned on).
Dependent Variable: Scores on the comprehension test.

3. Independent Variable: Information given to teachers about parents’ education level (college graduates vs. not finished high school).
Dependent Variable: Teachers’ ratings of the child’s academic potential.

4. Independent Variable: Participation in stress management training (completed training vs. no training).
Dependent Variable: Number of sick days taken by workers.

5. Independent Variable: Type of textbook used (traditional vs. interactive on a tablet).
Dependent Variable: Final exam marks of students.

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Explanation:

- Independent Variable: This is the variable that is manipulated or controlled by the experimenter. It is the cause or factor being tested.
- Dependent Variable: This is the variable that is measured or observed. It is the effect or outcome that is expected to change as a result of the independent variable.

By identifying these variables, we can better understand the structure of each experiment and how changes in the independent variable are hypothesized to affect the dependent variable.

Final Answer:
\[
\boxed{
\begin{array}{ll}
\text{1) Independent Variable: Condition under which students watched the cartoon (alone vs. with others)} & \text{Dependent Variable: Ratings of how funny the cartoon was} \\
\text{2) Independent Variable: Environment in which students studied (silence vs. television turned on)} & \text{Dependent Variable: Scores on the comprehension test} \\
\text{3) Independent Variable: Information given to teachers about parents’ education level (college graduates vs. not finished high school)} & \text{Dependent Variable: Teachers’ ratings of the child’s academic potential} \\
\text{4) Independent Variable: Participation in stress management training (completed training vs. no training)} & \text{Dependent Variable: Number of sick days taken by workers} \\
\text{5) Independent Variable: Type of textbook used (traditional vs. interactive on a tablet)} & \text{Dependent Variable: Final exam marks of students} \\
\end{array}
}
\]